Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Harry Hayes
Photographed by James Hulse, April 27, 2022
1. Harry Hayes Marker
Native Texan
First Allied soldier
to step foot on
Japanese soil under
Potsdam Ultimatum
and
Hero "Mechanic"
A plane that was classified as beyond repair, no piloting skills, a remote part of Java, no maps and no real supplies didn't stop Hayes from working day and night for 3 days to do a "chewing gum patch work job" on a Flying Fortress and then piloting it during the night to Australia on 3 engines to bring a full load of evacuees (13 women and 5 children) to safety.
"I could read a compass, but that was the extent of my knowledge of navigation. I patched the ship with bailing wire and everything else I could find." - Harry Hayes, US Army
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Soldiers Meda Numerous Other Accolades
Dedicated with love by his son M/Sgt John R Hayes USAF Ret.
Erected by National Museum of the Pacific War.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II.
Location. 30° 16.354′ N, 98° 52.025′ W. Memorial is in Fredericksburg, Texas, in Gillespie County. It can be reached from the intersection
this page online
Regionally, this memorial is in Hill Country. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: U.S.S. Hancock (CV/CVA-19) (here, next to this marker); The Seven Sons of Samuel D. and Emma B. Grady (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Haggard DD-555 (here, next to this marker); The Class of January 1943 United States Military Academy (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Iowa (BB-61) (here, next to this marker); Arisan Maru (here, next to this marker); USS Euryale (AS22) (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Farenholt (DD491) (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
Photographed by James Hulse, April 27, 2022
2. Harry Hayes Marker
The marker is the first marker on the right of the large markers.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 410 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 28, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
